A Trentonian Back Talk contribution on Wednesday complained about Trashy Trenton.

Yes, this capital city remains plagued by garbage, tires, mattresses, television sets and a litany of other items.

Not in the 100 Block of Franklin St. because we prefer not to live like pigs. Plus, as long as this Chambersburg residence remains home, no way in the world will money-grubbing, unscrupulous landlords rent properties without a certificate of occupancy.

The Back Talk contributor offered a suggestion to the nine candidates allegedly running for mayor.

Advertisement

“The city has become a latrine with the garbage all over the streets. The one of you who has a broom and sweeps up the garbage while you’re on the campaign trail is the person that gets my vote.”

When those mayoral candidates complete this chore then they can take on the roles of mommy and daddy for all children living inside this 7.5 square mile bubble.

What’s wrong with Trenton finds expression in the Back Talk belief that a seated mayor should get off his derriere to clean up after people, instead of putting the fear of Jesus in them if they fail to comply to city ordinances, rules and regulations.

President John F. Kennedy must find full rotation in his grave with this nonsense that politicians and governments should take care of every citizens’ need.

Trenton has reworked Kennedy’s famous line into something that sounds like extortion: Don’t ask us for anything, just give us what we want or we will trash this place

Here’s a great story. A person calls to tell me about a massive dump of items discarded on Grant Ave. just off Chambers St. It’s 5 p.m. and although no desire exists to head back outdoors, duty calls.

Nothing and nobody on Grant. Turn left onto Seward and a significant amount of cardboard, trash and a shopping cart have been discarded. Not the major dump related on the phone but worth a discussion.

Phone rings again. No lie. The man wants to know if I’m on my way. By the way, he says a previous message misidentified the actual address. It’s actually Hart Ave. just off North Clinton Ave.

Found Trenton Councilman at large Duncan Harrison stepping through boxes of plastic cheek retractors used in teeth whitening procedures. There’s thousands of plastic bags each containing 12 retractors. Cardboard boxes have been tossed in front of and over a chain link fence.

Harrison, on the verge of announcing his mayoral candidacy, found a coincidental jumping off point for his campaign.

“This is one of the area’s in the city that would be perfect for cameras. It’s something that I’ve been asking for. When we do find who did this, the city should hit them with a significant fine,” Harrison said.

Boxes included an address for 3 Nami Street in Hamilton Twp. although a current tenant there offers physical fitness training.

Harrison said the dumping will require an unnecessary job for public works employees.

“They could be taking care of other issues in the city,” he complained.

Imagine, heading to an illegal dump site but finding another illegal dump site en route. Really, that’s how trashed Trenton has become.

Lack of enforcement has allowed people to turn Trenton into an eyesore. City officials should not clean up after residents or else they will ask for company inside the latrine to assist them in other hygienic pursuits.